Bio/data Corporation

William E Coville

David M St Onge

Hyman Grossman

Donald G Ware

Michael Sokol

An aggregometer has a radiation path along which radiation can pass, a sample receiving area located along the radiation path, a short-wavelength LED that transmits radiation along the radiation path through the sample receiving area, a detector positioned along the radiation path for detecting radiation transmitted from the short-wavelength LED, and a processor that controls intensity of radiation transmitted from the short-wavelength LED.

Aggregometer with near ultraviolet light source

Vertical electromagnetic stirring is used to produce low shear, stress, turbulent and chaotic mixing of a liquid material or suspension in a container regardless of the volume or container geometry. Movement of a magnetic stir bar is controlled by multiple magnetic fields. The magnetic fields are produced by a series of sequentially or non-sequentially activated inductor coils which produce asymmetrical stirring dynamics and random motions of the stir bar, causing the liquid material to be gently and effectively mixed throughout the container. Moving the stir bar in random and irregular patterns during the stirring operation creates turbulent and chaotic mixing dynamics. The stir bars used for supporting vertical magnetic stirring are specifically designed to optimize the effectivity of the mixing process by maximizing the length of the stir bar to quickly and gently mix the materials.

Method and apparatus for using vertical magnetic stirring to produce turbulent and chaotic mixing in various states, without compromising components

A clot retainer for generally separating liquid from solid components in a specimen enclosed in a container having a closure. The clot retainer includes fingers that are adapted to displace solid components of the specimen. The clot retainer can be inserted through the closure of the container without removing the container. A method of separating liquid from solid components in a specimen is also disclosed.

Clot retainer

A process for filtering a fluid is provided. The process includes providing a filtration cell having a filter membrane, a base configured to receive filtrate passing through the membrane, and a flow channel open to the filter membrane. A flow of the fluid is provided through the flow channel substantially tangent to the filter membrane in a first direction and a second direction substantially opposing the first direction, whereby the fluid reciprocally flows across the filter membrane. Filtrate passing through the membrane is collected. A system for filtering a fluid is also provided.

Method and apparatus for directly sampling a fluid for microfiltration

Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes of a fluid to be filtered are provided. Also a process for directly transferring a fluid to be filtered from a container to a filtration cell is described. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid in a container to be filtered through a piercing instrument connected to a base and support for a reservoir that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter membrane between either a container having a fluid to be filtered and a single reservoir for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs after pressurizing a fluid to be filtered into the reservoirs from a container using a piercing instrument. Side wells for collecting samples from the bottom up from the filtration cell outlet are also provided as are a process incorporating automated equipment for transferring the container having fluid to be filtered to the piercing point for entry into the filtration cell.

Filtration cells capable of direct sampling of a fluid from a container and which may be used for microfiltration of both small and large microvolumes of a fluid to be filtered are provided Also a process for directly transferring a fluid to be filtered from a container to a filtration cell is described. The filtration cells have one or more reservoirs and are in communication with fluid in a container to be filtered through a piercing instrument connected to a base and support for a reservoir that receives the fluid to be filtered after it passed across a filter membrane. The filtration cell may then be pressurized and vented to allow fluid to be filtered to reciprocally and tangentially pass across a filter membrane between either a container having a fluid to be filtered and a single reservoir for small volume filtrations or between two reservoirs after pressurizing a fluid to be filtered into the reservoirs from a container using a piercing instrument. Side wells for collecting samples from the bottom up from the filtration cell outlet are also provided as are a process incorporating automated equipment for transferring the container having fluid to be filtered to the piercing point for entry into the filtration cell.

An improvement to an apparatus for receiving a sample of biological fluid containing non-fluid components. Prior art sample cell for use in conjunction with prior art analytical apparatus comprises two slidably engaged members, first member comprising a reservoir for holding fluid sample to be tested, second member adapted to receive fluid from an external filter in one section and adapted to receive reagent and exhibit reaction in another section. The improvement comprises means for preventing smearing of fluid when members are moved relative to each other. A channel collects overflow from reservoir in first member, conducting overflow to a barrier placed in gap between first and second member. A wiper shears excess fluid from behind barrier, generally out of gap between first and second member, when the first and second members are moved relative to each other.

Apparatus for receiving a test specimen and reagent

An apparatus for automatically performing analytical testing of individual distant samples of biological fluids wherein a test sample is reacted with test reagents and tested for a change in optical characteristics. A memory stores a plurality of different test protocols. An operator-actuated keyboard is used to select one of the test protocols from the memory. Individual distinct samples of biological fluid to be tested are received in a sample cell. The cell is heated to a preselected temperature. The apparatus transports an individual sample cell to a first location adapted to filter unwanted nonfluid material from the fluid to be tested and to remove excess fluid to be tested from the sample cell to cause a precise accurate volume of fluid to remain in the sample cell for testing. After filtering and removal of excess fluid, the apparatus transports the individual sample cell from the first location to a second location for introducing a first reagent into the sample, and then transports the sample cell from the second location to a test location where a second reagent is introduced into the sample. An optical detector at the test location optically scans the sample in a vertical direction to detect a change in an optical characteristic of the sample. The apparatus provides an alphanumeric indication that a change in the optical characteristic in the sample has been detected. The invention includes a uniquely configured sample cell for receiving the samples of fluid to be tested and unique apparatus for delivering precise volumes of a liquid reagent. A liquid reservoir is pressurized with gas to a preselected pressure and is automatically regulated to maintain the pressure at a constant value. A valve in conjunction with a nozzle and a conduit adapted to impart a constant flow rate to reagent being delivered is opened for precise, predetermined time intervals so that a precise predetermined volume of liquid flows through the valve in the predetermined time interval.

An apparatus for automatically performing analytical testing of individual distinct samples of biological fluids wherein a test sample is reacted with test reagents and tested for a change in optical characteristics. A memory stores a plurality of different test protocols. An operator-actuated keyboard is used to select one of the test protocols from the memory. Individual distinct samples of biological fluid to be tested are received in a sample cell. The cell is heated to a preselected temperature. The apparatus transports an individual sample cell to a first location adapted to filter unwanted nonfluid material from the fluid to be tested and to remove excess fluid to be tested from the sample cell to cause a precise accurate volume of fluid to remain in the sample cell for testing. After filtering and removal of excess fluid, the apparatus transports the individual sample cell from the first location to a second location for introducing a first reagent into the sample, and then transports the sample cell from the second location to a test location where a second reagent is introduced into the sample. An optical detector at the test location optically scans the sample in a vertical direction to detect a change in an optical characteristic of the sample. The apparatus provides an alphanumeric indication that a change in the optical characteristic in the sample has been detected. The invention includes a uniquely configured sample cell for receiving the samples of fluid to be tested and unique apparatus for delivering precise volumes of a liquid reagent. A liquid reservoir is pressurized with gas to a preselected pressure and is automatically regulated to maintain the pressure at a constant value. A valve in conjunction with a nozzle and a conduit adapted to impart a constant flow rate to reagent being delivered is opened for precise, predetermined time intervals so that a precise predetermined volume of liquid flows through the valve in the predetermined time interval.

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Levittown, PA, United States of America

William E Coville